Format Review: The Basics

The Format Guidelines for WTS Theses, Dissertations, and Projects explains the procedures required for formatting your thesis or dissertation. From the beginning of your writing process, you should strive to comply with the format requirements. In addition to following the WTS Format Guidelines, please consult A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 9th ed., by Kate L. Turabian.


It is your responsibility to make sure that ALL errors of spelling, grammar, and Turabian conformity are corrected before submitting the completed thesis or dissertation. You might consider submitting your work to an editor who has expertise in the Turabian format. This will involve some expense to you, but it can be well worth it. Information about hiring an editor to proofread your work is available from the Center for Theological Writing at ctw@wts.edu. Editorial assistance should be arranged a minimum of six weeks in advance of submission. The CTW recommends that you begin considering your editorial options at the beginning of the semester you expect to submit your thesis or dissertation. It is not the responsibility of the advisor or second reader to make corrections to spelling, grammar, or formatting on your final submission.